During talks in New Delhi tomorrow (February 7), Bangladesh Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud and his Indian counterpart S Jaishankar will review “progress in areas of cooperation in bilateral relations and chart out the future agenda”.
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| Bangladesh Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud will visit India from February 6-9 at the invitation of his counterpart S Jaishankar. (Source: ANI) |
The February 6-9 India visit is Hasan Mahmud's first bilateral foreign trip since Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina selected the veteran Awami League politician as Foreign Minister.
The Hindustan Times quoted sources as saying that the new Bangladeshi foreign minister is expected to ask the Indian government to ensure stable supply of food and essential items during the month of Ramzan and discuss areas of future cooperation.
Apart from meeting his counterpart S Jaishankar, Hasan Mahmud is expected to hold talks with Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal. He may also request the Indian side to ensure smooth and steady supply of food and essential commodities during Ramzan, which is expected to begin around mid-March.
India is one of the major suppliers of food items, including rice, sugar, tea and vegetables, to Bangladesh. However, in recent years, Dhaka has complained that food exports have been affected by changes in regulations and procedures from New Delhi, leading to shortages and price hikes in the market.
India exported food and related items worth $3.5 billion to Bangladesh in 2022-23.
According to Hindustan Times , the three-day visit is not expected to yield any significant results or agreements, but will focus more on establishing links between the new Bangladeshi Foreign Minister and his Indian counterparts.
An unnamed Bangladeshi official said Mr Hasan Mahmud was “a well-known figure in India as he had visited the country several times in his previous role as information minister”.
According to a statement from the Indian Ministry of External Affairs , Mr. Hasan Mahmud’s visit reflects “the importance and high priority that both countries attach to the bilateral relationship.” During the talks, the two foreign ministers will review “the progress in various areas of cooperation in the bilateral relationship and chart out the future agenda,” and discuss sub-regional, regional and multilateral issues.
Mahmud's visit follows an unannounced trip to Dhaka by National Security Adviser Ajit Doval on February 3.
Mr Doval is the first senior Indian official to visit Bangladesh since the Awami League party won an unprecedented fourth consecutive term in power in last month's general election.
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